China Targets Liu Shih-fang's Nephew, Taiwan Vows Countermeasures

China escalated its campaign of cross-strait coercion this week by targeting the nephew of Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang. Yan Wen-qun, who had been working at Rongtan Technology — a Taiwanese battery materials company with operations in China — was summarily dismissed after Chinese state media prominently reported on his family connection to Liu, whom Beijing has designated a "stubborn Taiwan independence separatist." The company issued a statement declaring it "strictly prohibits any resources from directly or indirectly supporting Taiwan independence," in language widely seen as dictated by Chinese authorities.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council responded with sharp condemnation, labeling the action "cross-border suppression" and warning that Beijing is "using political coercion to interfere in commercial activities without any bottom line." The MAC confirmed it will impose countermeasures against those responsible for what it described as a serious escalation that "damages cross-strait relations." Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh said the government is evaluating specific retaliatory steps targeting Chinese entities and individuals involved in orchestrating the dismissal.

Minister Liu herself addressed the situation directly, urging Taiwanese citizens to "think carefully" before traveling to or doing business in China. "Your personal safety, property, and freedom can be subjected to intimidation and threats," she warned. "I have always stood firm in defending Taiwan's national sovereignty, and that position will not change." The case illustrates what Taiwanese officials describe as an emerging pattern: Beijing's use of economic and familial pressure against the relatives of Taiwanese political figures to silence dissent and intimidate the island's leadership.

The incident has broader implications for the thousands of Taiwanese businesspeople and professionals working in China. Taiwan's China Policy Association warned that Beijing is effectively weaponizing the economic integration it has long promoted, turning commercial ties into leverage for political coercion. The MAC said it is reviewing whether additional protective measures are needed for Taiwanese citizens working in the mainland who may face similar retaliation due to their family connections.